Homecoming 2012

Jan. 15, 2013 - by jsklekamp

Feb. 1, 2013

Alumni and friends returned to MNU for the university’s 43rd Homecoming celebration. They came back for the first-ever 40th class reunion. The athletic events. The BBQ competition. The banquet. The fun. The friends. The MEMORIES!

Eventually, Janelle did 55 push ups as the Pioneers were victorious over Graceland University 55-0.

Alumni and friends braved frigid temperatures and wind at the third annual Homecoming Pioneer BBQ Competition to sample the fare of teams like Porky McBeef and the Cluckers, featuring Renee and Dave Elliott (’08).

Chelsea Coffey of Wynne, Ark., and Beau Weissend of Louisburg, Kan., were crowned Homecoming King and Queen.

Author Phil White ’04 presented his thoughts on Liberal Arts and Leadership: Preparing the Next Generation for a Rapidly Changing World at Communiversity, a scholarly gathering for students, faculty, alumni, and the community.

The Alumni Association honored five individuals at the Homecoming dinner. Gerald Smith (’85), newly elected president of Nazarene Publishing House, and Jill (Bachman ’98) Kenny, an attorney, were named alumnus and alumna of the year. Not pictured, Zach Phillips (’10) and Erik Unruh (’10) won Young Alumni of the year, and former Board of Trustees member Paul Dennis was posthumously awarded the Carry the Torch Award. Read more at www.mnu.edu/award-winners.

Honoring their own MNU Experience, the Pioneer Classes of 1972-1975 announced the establishment of the Sons and Daughters of the Pioneers Scholarship Fund with a gift of $32,000 at the 40th class reunion of the class of 1972. This permanent endowment will provide first-year scholarship support for the descendants of those who attended the university during its first four years.

Fundraising for the scholarship fund is continuing as alumni appeal to the members of their classes toward the goal of raising $50,000 by Dec. 31, 2012. Anyone can contribute to the fund. Class members presented the gift to Dr. Spittal at their reunion.